The Friends of Schmeeckle host several programs and events throughout the year. Explore upcoming events below.
Join us for the opening reception and awards ceremony for the 12th annual Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Art, Writing, and Photography Contest on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center. Visit the Friends website to see previous year's entries.https://friendsofschmeeckle.org/arts-contest/
Is the opossum in your backyard a nuisance or one of nature’s superheroes? Take a hike around Schmeeckle and discover the superpowers of urban wildlife that share our home of Stevens Point. Please dress for the weather. Presented by Emily Lureau.
Ever wonder where animals go during the winter? Put your investigation skills to the test as we find out where our animal friends hibernate and how they wake up! Please dress for the weather. Presented by Sara Haroldsen.
In between the day and the night, creatures of Schmeeckle come to life. Travel the trails at dusk and discover the creative ways that wildlife use the twilight hours. Please dress for the weather. Presented by Madelyn McHugh.
What is something that ties us all together but is often taken for granted? The Sun! Join us on an exploratory walk as we uncover the surprising ways that plants, animals, and people depend on the sun. Please dress for the weather. Presented by Hannah Scherwinski and Madelyn McHugh.
Vanquish beastly weeds while making something beautiful. Discover practical uses for backyard vegetation like hackberry and nettle. We will learn basic weaving and cording techniques, helping our natural community along the way. Presented by Lilly Mahon.
How do we know where animals live and migrate? Community science helps us understand more about the natural world, and you can get involved! Enjoy a guided walk through Schmeeckle while using your phone to build our collective knowledge. Please dress for the weather. Presented by Brennan Dittrich.
Scream ”EEK! A snake!” no more! Delve into the social structures of snakes, from adolescent cliques to cozy cold-weather cuddles. Drop by a garter snake’s winter home and see how our slithering friends are not so different from us. Please dress for the weather. Presented by Lilly Mahon and Kevin Norris.
Do you find birdsong breathtaking, sunsets stunning, and rainstorms remarkable? Make environmental connections through drawing, writing poetry, and creating crafts. Materials provided but your own art supplies are welcome, too. Presented by Grace Wood. UW-Stevens Point student naturalists lead these free, hands-on programs that explore the outdoor world. All ages are welcome! Please dress for the
While predators may get a bad rap, they actually benefit the environment more than harm it. Explore these hunters’ lives and learn ways we can protect the creatures that call Central Wisconsin home. Presented by Jacob Ladik.
You might have heard that April showers bring May flowers, but what about the thunderbird that brings storms? Hear and share fascinating stories and mythologies connected to rainstorms. Discover how they shape our understanding of weather today. Presented by Grace Wood and Jacob Ladik.
Peek into the big life of Wisconsin’s smallest bird: the Ruby-throated Hummingbird! Experience the love, hardships, and triumphs faced by our feathered friends. Make a hummingbird feeder to end the journey. Please dress for the weather. Presented by Sara Haroldsen, Brennan Dittrich, and Emily Lureau.